Rectification of polyphase electrical current



Sept il?? (i929, @NAS 'S RECTIFICAToN OR POLYPHASE ELECTRICAL CURRENT Filed March 6, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept., E?, 19290 i JONAS lpg/723,28@

RECTIFICATICN OF PCLYPHASE ELECTRICAL CURRENT Filed March 6, 1926 2 Speets-Shee, 2

Patented Septpv i7, i929 unirse sra'rns PATENT FFECE JULIS JONAS, F BADN, SWITZERLAND, LSSIGNGE TQ AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT BRGWN, BOVERI 8a CIE., 0F BADEN, SWITZERLAND, KOMT-STOCK CM'PANY, 0F

SWITZERLAND RECTIFICATIGN 0F POLY'PEASE ELEGTECAL CURRENT Application tiled Mar-cli 6, i926, Serial No. S, and in Germany March 2l, 1325.

This invention pertains to electrical rectifying apparatus for conversion of alternating current to direct current. ,lt has particular applicability to rectiliers supplied by V polyphase transformers.

The general object of the invention is the provision of a method and means for eliminating or preventing the formation of .ripples or harmonics in l). C. current rectified from polyphase current.

Other objects Willbe indicated or pointed out hereinafter or obvious to one skilled in the art upon an understanding of the invention. l Y

ln the drawing forming a part of this specification l show various arrangements of apparatus illustrative of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited'tothe employment of devices of' the sort shown. ln the drawings,

Figs. l, 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating half portions of voltage Waves.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of one arrangement of apparatus illustrative of the invention,

Fig. 5 is a diagram of another arrangement of apparatus and Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modiication of same.

` 'lhe voltage on the direct current side of a rectier supplied by a polyphase transformer is likely to contain a strongly marked ripple which `may give troublein various Ways. rl`he e'ect on the Working of neighbouring telephone systems is particularly harmful,

the ripple either passing directly into the system or inducing currents in the lines and causing disturbing noises which may in certain mircnmstances render communication impossible. Moreover, the operation of apparatus and machines using comparatively heavy currents is also adversely affected by these ripples and many attempts have been made to prevent their production and to reduce their effect when once produced.

'lhe present invention proposes to prevent the appearance of the ripple voltagev component on the secondary side of the rectifier by some means which are applied to 'the primary side or to a special auxiliary circ-nit inductively coupled to the primary circuit of the transformer.

according to the vinvention the transformer field is given a certain form by eX- citing harmonic currents in the transformer itself, this form being such that the E. M. llfs induced in thel windings of the separate phases have a flat wave form and hence the voltage in the particular rectifier anode' which is carrying current will be approximately uniform 'during the period in which the current flows. The third harmonic will be found the most satisfactory for use as a superimposed exciting current and in gen-2 eral fulfills all practical requirements, since as the amplitude of this harmonic is approximately 13% of that of the fundamental, it is possible by a suitable choice of the relative position of these current Waves to ensure that the voltage Wave will be flattened out over one sixth of a period to such an extentthat the deviation from an absolutely constant value is only a fraction of one per cent,

lt is known that in a threephase 'transformer the currents and fields of the third harmonic take parallel paths 'through the three-phase windings and through the three limbs of the core respectively. Consequently a entrent of the third harmonic can only flow in a. star-connected Winding when a connection is made to the neutral point and the iields of the third harmonic will only fully develop in the three limbs when a fourth core is provided to act as a return path for the three parallel fields. @thervrise the return path for the total iield of the third `harmonic will be through the air space between the tvvo yolie pieces of the transformer. lf a fourth core is provided, the Winding for exciting the thirdharmonic may be arranged either on this or on one of the other cores, so that the field of this harmonic taires parallel paths through )the windings of the three phases. instead of one three-phase transformer with a fourth core, three single-phase transformers may be used, each one carrying a Winding for the excitation of the third harmonic currents. 'lhese three windings are connected lll@ A in series in such a way that the E.k M. F.s of the three fundamentals cancel out. It is now necessary to decide how the required harmonic `frequency is to be maintained. There are several possibilities. A very .simple method is to supply the superimposed armonie exciting current from an auxiliary generator driven by a `motor from D. C. or A. C. mains. As the generator has to supply alternating current, it .may be designed after the manner of a synchronous alternator with a D. C. excited field, or it may be a commutator generator with field excited by a comparatively small current of the desired frequency. In the first case the generator must be driven by a synchronous motor; in the second case the type of driving motor vis a secondary consideration, and a synchronous, induction, or D. C. machine may be employed. If both generator and motor are synchronous machines, the relative positions of the axes of the Windings on the two armatures determines the phase relation of the harmonic. This phase relation can be varied by adjusting the relative positions of these axes or by other wellknown means, such as inserting resistance, capacity, Vetc., in the circuit carrying the harmonic. If the generator is Va commutator machine, the phase relation of the harmonic is determined by the phase of the generator exciting current. The phase relation of the harmonic may be varied by altering the phase of this exciting current or by the means, referred to above, by which` the phase of an alternating current is known to be influenced.

Another method of producing the third harmonic is to connect an auxiliary threephase transformer having a fourth core to the primary three-phase mains, this transformer being designed to .work with the iron very lhighly saturated. Consequently the field ofthis transformer will have a flat wave form, which means to say that it contains a vstrong third harmonic, passing through the fourth core. If this extra core be provided -with a winding there will be induced in it a third voltage harmonic, and this may be employed to produce a third harmonic field in the main transformer. Instead of one winding in the fourth transformer core, three windings may be used, one on each of the three cores and connected in series in such a way that the E. M. F.s of the three |fundamentals cancel out.

In whatever way the chief current harmonic is produced, the suppression of the D. C. ripple involves a further circumstance which it is essential to take into consideration. This is the reaction of the D. C. load current on the field of the third harmonic. It is clear that the load current flowing through the secondary windings of third harmonic field. This current weakens the superimposed harmonic field, however, owin to leakage and the consequent voltage rop and it is therefore necessary to compound the source supplying the harmonic current. This compounding effect may be very simply obtained when a synchronous generator is used since it is merely necessary to provide a compound winding which is traversed by the D. C. load current. It is amore difficult matter when a commutator generator is used, since it is necessary to convert a fraction of the D. C. load current into a current of harmonic frequency' proportional to the load by some suitable means (e. g. three electrode valves) and to use the harmonic current thus obtained for compoundingthe commutator generator.

Compounding is also possible when using an auxiliary transformer with high saturation if the saturation is made to depend on vthe D. C. load current. This can be done by using the D. C. load current to increase the magnetization of the auxiliary transformer and consequently its saturation. It must not be forgotten, however, that a third harmonic E. M. F. will be induced in this compound exciting Winding unless certain precautions are taken. These will be described and illustrated by an example later on.

Further details of the subject of the invention may be ascertained by referenceto the drawings. It may be premised that the method described is primarily suitable for six-phase yrectifiers, 'a current of the third harmonic being used to provide the superimposed excitation.

The thick lines of Fig. 1 show the Wellknown form of voltage wave E, obtained from a six-phase rectifier. During every period each anode provides the D. C. current for a time t. The ripple in the direct current has a frequency of six times the fundamental. Fig. shows how by combining the sinusoidal vol age wave E, with the third harmonic E, a fiattcncd wave form Er can be obtained, the height of which may be considered as practically constant over a period equal to or greater than t. The thick lines in Fig. 3 show the resulting D. C. voltage wave Er of the rectifier when the E. M. Fis

eef

in the phase windings of the transformer are given a Wave form corresponding to E, in Fig. 2. lt Will be seen that a practically urifor1n-voltage is obtained on the D. U.' s1 e.

Fig. 4 shows an example or' the application of the method described above. N rcprescnts the three-phase mains vvi'th the conductors lf, Il and lll of the three phases. P is the star-connected primary winding' of the transformer T, which is built with an eXtra 'fourth core on which'v the` exciting winding C is placed. Q is the six-phase secondary Winding of the transformer T. the ends of which are connected to the anodes A of the rectiier G. The cathode K. of the latter supplies' the positive Wire L of the D. C. system. The negative Wire of this system is taken from the star point ci the Windu ing Q. D `is a synchronous generator supplying Winding C with current at the frequency of the third harmonic. The exciting; Winding E of this generator receives current from the D. C. side of the rectier through thc adjustable resistance R. d is a motor driving generator D. 7llhis niust also he a lll) connect/ed in open delta.

synchronous machine, and takes povver from the primary mains N.

rl`he 'third current harmonic passing, through the exciting ,Winding C produces a lield of 'the saine frequency in the iron core ot the transformer Pl". 'lhislield traverses the three main cores and induces hl. M. lfs ot the third harmonic in the primary windings. By suitably choosing the phase relation of this superimposed field the resultant lll. lcifs in the windings of the three phases can be given a dat Wave 'form as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

ln il, ltl represents the compound Winding ot the generator D. The D. load current traverses this winding. The result is that the D. M. 'of the exciting third harmonic is increased in proportion to the decrease of the third harmonic field due to the reaction ot t e load current.`

Fig. 5 sho` s an example Where the current or the third harmonic is produced hy a highly saturated transformer. ln this Figure N represents the three-phase mains which supply looth the inain transformer T1 and the auxiliary transformer T2. l3 is the primary Winding, Q the secondary windingand a tertiary vvindine,q oi the transformer T1 D is the primary winding and V the similarly open delta-con nected secondary Winding oi the `auxiliary transformer T2. The core 'frames M1 and M2 of the main and auxiliary transformers respectively are each provided with a tourt-h iron core. X is a compound Windingplaced on the fourth core of transformer Tf.. R an ohinic resistance, and D a choke coil. The remaining reference letters are the same as in Fig. el. The iron of the auxiliary transformer T2 is Worked at a high saturation. Consequently a iield of the third harmonic finds a closed path by Way of the fourth core of this transformer and induces a. voltage harmonic in the Winding; V. The windings V and Z are connected, and therefore a third current harmonic will iiovv in this circuit, altering the 'Wave forin of the main transformer field in such away that the E. M. F. Wave in each phase of the windings is iat in shape. v

The Winding X, choke coil D9 and resistance R serve for the compounding of the auxiliary source of current T2. As Will be seen from Fig'. l. these 'three auxiliary devices (X, D, and l) are in the main D. C. circuit.

.the current entering at the middle point of the Winding X and leaving at the middle point of the choke coil D. The current is thus divided and doi/vs in tvvo parallel paths, one losing1 direct from X to D and the other from X to D through the resistance R. li' the resistance it did not exist the current :would be divided equally and the Winding; .X would produce no excitation on the core oi" T2 as the ampere-turns of the tivo halves of `Winding` X halance out. The eilect of the resistance R is that the current is uneouaily divided between the, tivo parallel paths and the D. C. currents flowing in Winding X thereiioreproduce a steady (D. C.) iield in the transformer core, this lield being proportional to the D. C. loa-d current. 'llhus the state of saturation or the auxiliary transformer heconies a 'function of the reetitier load and consequently the lvl. F. ot the third harmonic increases "with the load on the rettili/er. The third voltage harmonic in` duced in winding X does not pass into thc C. systeni7 however, since the points which the load cnrrent en'rs and leaves in X and D are nent al points with regard to the induced voltae harmonic. y

This -method or compounding possesses a disadvaintuire,` however, in that the displacement of the alternating field up to the lrnee of the D. C. saturation curve results in an inequality or the positive and negative halves ot the a terna ting lield vvave and consequently Wietrical vll/l. F. Wave. Tais Wonld lead to other and higher harrnonics the rectiiier voltage Wave and would prevent the attainment a supply free from ripples. .lhis disadvantage may oloviated9 however., hv employing, as illuslily saturated trans` 2 anc. i. a their primaries U' and D connected in series. Steady (D. C.) ields are proouced in these transiorrners the rectifier load current in the saine manner as before, hut the D. C. fields in the tivo auxiliary transformers displaced loy i800. 9 for one haii Wave ot the alternating; d of the fundamental the tran `rner iva is at a high saturation lll() point yand for the other half wave of this field the transformer '1"'2 is at a high satura-l tion. The windings V and V of the two` `iliary transformers T2 and T"2 may be combined to form asingle unit. The winding halves of X each consist of at least two coils which arearranged alternately on the fourth cores.

The three-phase auxiliary y transformer l2 with fourth core may` also bereplacedl by three single-phase transformers which, in orderfto produce the same effect as the arrangement in Fig. 6, must be constructed with three limbs The middle limb .will carry the D. C. exciting Winding and the outer limbs the windings Uf' and U Klikewise V and V) connected in series.

What I lclaim is:

l. A method of repressing ripple effects in the output of polyphase rectifiers which comprises impressing a voltage of harmonic Wave form on the polyphase current, and then transforming the current ton direct form. 2. A method of repressing ri ple effects in the direct current output o polyphase rectifiers which comprises impressing on the polyphase current a voltage 'corresponding in phase and value to the third harmonic of said current, and then rent to direct form.

3. A method of repressing ripple effects in the output of rectifierswhich comprises impressing on `each phase ofr a polyphase current a voltage varying as the third harmonic of the phase wave, and rectifying the polyphase current to direct current.

4. A method of notifying-polyphase currents to direct current which comprises impressing on each phase of the polyphase current a voltage varying as a harmonic of the phase wave and rectifying the polyphase l current.

5. Apparatus yfor repressing ripple effects in the direct current output of mercury vapour rectifiers, -comprising the combination `with the rectifier, of a sourceof polyphase current and means for impressing a harmonic `voltage on the polyphase current.

. 6. Apparatus for repressing ripple effects in the directcurrent output of polyphase rectifiers, comprising the combination with the rectifier and polyphase current source, of a transformer for the polyphase current,

, and means for impressing on said transformer a current having the phase relationrectifying the cur-xv ship ofthe third harmonic of the polyphase current.

7. Apparatus for repressing ripple effectsV in the direct current output of polyphase rectifiers, comprising the combination with the rectifier and a source of polyphase current, of av transformer for the rectifier, said 9. In rectifying apparatus, the coinbina- I tionwith a rectifier, of a transformer havingits secondary -connected to the rectifier input and a second transformer for supplying the primary of the first-mentioned transformer,y said second transformer having a branch.. for deriving a harmonic current component., l

10.- In arectifier system, a polyphase rec- 'tifier comprising a plurality of star-connected Arectifying paths having a common star terminal and a plurality of star end terminals', 'a polyphase.transformer having a star-connected Winding system for supplying said star end terminals, a direct current line connected between the star terminal of said rectifier and the star terminal of said transformer, and means associated -with said transformer for causing the 'voltages applied to said rectifier phases to cause successive current flow pulses through the phases ofthe rectifier with a substantially fiat voltage Wave. y

11. In a rectifier s stem, a polyphasestarconnected rectifier h i terminal and a plurality of polyphase starconnected terminals, a polyphase transformer having a plurality of transformer Windings connected in star to the polyphaseterminals of said rectifier, and means associated with said transformer for causing the voltage wave applied to said rectifier terminals to consist of a succession of flat top overlapping waves of substantially uniform volta e.

gl@ In a rectifier system, a polyphase starconnected rectifier having a common star terminal and a plurality of polyphase starconnected terminals, a polyphase transformavinga common star.

rectier to consist of waves having `a flattened top portion of 'substantially uniform voltage during `the period at which the respective phases circulate current 'to said rectifier.

13. In a rectifier system,` a triple-phase star-connected rectifier comprising a common star terminal and a plurality of star end terminals, a triple-phase transformer having primary and secondary windings, said secondary windings bein connected in star to the phases of said recti er, and means associated with said transformer for inducing therein a triple harmonic of its fundamental voltage wave.

14. In a rectifier system, a polyphase transformerhaving a three-phase primary winding and a three-m-phase stanconnected secondary winding, m being an integer, a three-m-phase star-arranged vrectifier havin its star end terminals connected to the en terminals of said secondary winding, a direct current line connected between the star terminal of said rectifier and the star terminal of said transformer, means for inducing a triple harmonic voltage in the phases of said transformer to flatten the wave shape of the voltage wave applied to said rectifier phases, and means responsive to the magnitude of the direct current fiowing in said line for controlling the magnitude of said harmonic voltage.

15. In `a rectifier system, a polyphase transformer having a primary winding and a star-connected secondar winding, a stararranged polyphase recti er having its star end terminals connected to the phases of said secondary winding, and means responsive to the direct current flow from said rectifier for inducing in said secondary trans- `former phases a harmonic voltage 'tending to reduce the ripples in the direct current' derived from said rectifier.

16. In a rectifier system, a transformer having a neutral point and a plurality of phase windings connected to said neutral point, said point constituting one direct current terminal,a rectifier having Va plurality of 'rectifyingly paths including a common terminal, the end terminals of said 'paths being connected to the free terminals of said trans.- former phases and said common terminal constituting the other direct current terminal, 'andl means utilizing the direct current derived from said rectifier for inducing in said'transormer winding connections a harmonic voltage tending to reduce the voltage ripples `in the direct current derived from said rectifier.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Zurich, Switzerland, on

the 11th day of February A. D. 1926.

.Torres JONAS. 

